Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Review
By
August 9th, 2006
Summary
See things like never before! The Super CCD SR II sensor at the heart of the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR ensures superb image quality and low noise while addressing the issue of wider dynamic range. And now it even captures a wider spectrum from Ultra Violet through visible and into Infrared.
Specific wavelengths can be isolated and captured from daylight or artificial light sources via lens filtering or by use of an Alternative Light Source (ALS) such as a forensic crime scope lighting technology like those sold by SPEX Forensics (www.crimescope.com).
Although not initially intended for use in general photography, the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR could be used by photo artists for special effects infrared imagery. Due to the wide range of light spectrums captured, focusing and exposure are done manually. Unique to the FinePix S3 Pro system is the 30 second B&W live CCD preview mode from the cameras LCD monitor. This unique mode can be used to focus the camera specifically to the wavelength being captured when dark UV or IR spectrum filters cover the lens, which renders the cameras optical viewfinder unusable.
Specs
| Type of Camera | Interchangeable-lens SLR-type digital camera | |||||||||||||
| Number of Effective Pixels** |
12.34 million (S-pixel: 6.17million, R-pixel: 6.17million) pixels |
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| CCD Sensor | 23.0x15.5mm Super CCD SR II Number of total pixels: 12.9 million (S-pixel: 6.45 million, R-pixel: 6.45 million) pixels |
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| Number of Recorded Pixels |
Still image: 4,256×2,848 (12.1million)/3,024×2,016/2,304×1,536/1 ,440×960 pixels |
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| Storage media |
Slot No.1: xD-Picture Card™ (16MB – 2GB) |
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| File formats |
JPEG-DCF compatible (Exif Ver 2.21***) |
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Storage Media
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The number of images will vary slightly depending on the type of subject. |
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| Lens mount | Nikon F mount (with AF coupling, AF contacts) | |||||||||||||
| Usable lenses |
D/G type AF Nikkor lenses: All functions possible |
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| Lens servo |
Single Servo AF (S), Continuous Servo AF, Manual focus (M) |
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| Picture angle | Approx.1.5× focal length in 35mm format equivalent | |||||||||||||
| Auto focus |
TTL phase detection (Auto AF may not perform well with S3 PRO IRUV) |
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| Focus area | One of five focus areas can be selected | |||||||||||||
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AF Area mode |
Single Area AF |
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Focus lock |
Focus is locked by pressing AE/AF Lock button or lightly pressing shutter release button in Single Servo AF |
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| Shutter |
Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal- plane shutter |
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| Shutter speed |
30 sec. to 1/4000 sec. Bulb, X-contact, Max.1/180 sec. |
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| Sensitivity |
Equivalent to ISO 200/400/800/1600 (Although ISO setting below 200 is possible, it ’s not recommended ) |
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| Exposure metering system |
TTL full-aperture exposure metering system
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| Exposure compensation | ±3 EV range, in 1/2 steps | |||||||||||||
| Exposure modes |
P: Auto-Multi Program (Flexible program possible), |
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| White balance |
Automatic (WB is not applicable under IR conditions) |
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Viewfinder |
To focus the camera use Live Preview LCD function if dark UV and IR lens filters are in place. |
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Eye point |
24 mm | |||||||||||||
| Focusing screen |
Clear Matte Screen II with focus brackets and On-demand Grid Lines able to display |
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| Viewfinder information |
Focus indications, Metering system, AE lock, Shutter speed, Aperture, Exposure mode, Electronic analog exposure display/exposure compensation display, Frame counter/exposure compensation value, Ready-light, Multiple exposure, Focus area, Flash exposure compensation, Five sets of focus brackets (area) /Spot metering area, Center- Weighted metering, On-Demand Grid Lines able to display |
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LCD panel (top panel) display |
Shutter speed/Exposure compensation value, Aperture, Exposure compensation, Flash exposure compensation, Auto exposure bracketing, Bracketing bar graphs, flexible program, Flash sync mode, AF area mode Focus area, Battery power |
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LCD monitor |
2.0-inch low temperature polysilicon TFT (approx. 235,000 pixels, wide-type LCD, approx. 100% frame coverage) |
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| Built-in flash | Guide No.12 (ISO 100, m), flash coverage: 20mm or longer lens | |||||||||||||
| Flash sync, mode |
Front-curtain sync (normal sync), Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow sync, Rear curtain sync |
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| Ready light |
Lights up when flash fully charged with built in flash |
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| Accessory shoe | Standard ISO-type with hot-shoe contact (Safety lock provided) | |||||||||||||
| Remote Release | Electronic shutter release | |||||||||||||
| Self-timer |
Electronically controlled: timer duration: 20sec./10sec./5sec./2sec. |
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| Video output | NTSC/PAL selectable | |||||||||||||
| Digital interface | USB 2.0 (High-speed) for data storage, IEEE1394 for data storage & shooting | |||||||||||||
| Sync contact | X- contact only: flash synchronization up to 1/180 sec. | |||||||||||||
| Power source |
4 AA type Ni-MH batteries (sharing power with camera body), AC Power Adapter AV-5VX (Optional) |
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| Dimensions | 147.8 (W)×135.3 (H)×78.5 (D) mm/5.8 (W) ×5.3 (H) x 3.1 (D) in. | |||||||||||||
| Weight | Approx.815g/28.7oz. (excluding battery & lens) | |||||||||||||
| Shooting modes |
Single frame shooting |
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| Power source |
Color ---------- HIGH/ STD/ ORG/ B&W |
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| Playback functions |
Single frame/ Thumbnails in 9 segments |
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| Accessories included |
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| Disclaimer |
S3 Pro UVIR ’s Auto Focusing and Auto Exposure may not function properly due to the wide range of lighting conditions between UV & IR. |